HAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHA That MAY very well be the MOST number of smiley faces you have EVER displayed Mark.... (huge smile)
I for my part, will never call you a name, because one... I happen to like you... (I may be a rare bird in that, but I have enjoyed your wit on more than one occasion, current situation included.) and two... out of simple respect.
I'll say sobriety is over-rated.
But tact and respect NEVER go out of style. It is completely possible to be realistic with someone, and still be kind. And if it is possible... why not do so? How much more effort is it to be kind? It's that whole bees with honey thing you know...
And though I doubt you care if you have bees.... we are a community in this... and the kindness we exert with one another (and yes, with certain people it is a strenuous effort) will have effects beyond the moment we take the time to extend it.
I will not sacrifice giving respect because it has not been handed back to me at every turn.
There were large sections I was going to put in that first post, that I removed. I didn't want to range too far afield in that particular response... so I cut a bunch out... this is one particular section... pasted back in.
*Notes to newer learners... If you do not want to be enlightened... don't ask. This is not a parade of trees, where everyone is going to pat you on the back, and tell you that you and your tree are marvelous. A GOOD evaluation of a tree, if that is what you have asked for, will and SHOULD be balanced with with both it's merits and it's faults. The key is asking how to solve the issues that create the faults... or stating what your intentions are for it, so that people already know you have a plan. And in the end... smile and remember that everyone started out with the same amount of knowledge you did..... none. (smile)*
Funny.... but I don't think our perspectives of what goes on in the forum is all that far apart. I just choose to approach it in a very different way. Maybe we'll call that last bit "kind sobriety"...lol
In the end though, I think our goals are the same... teach what we know to those who desire to learn... (not that I would dare to compare myself with you in that fashion
)... and learn a few things ourselves.
Warmest regards,
Victrinia